Stand

Abstract

A load supporting and elevating stand capable of quick assembly, without fasteners or gluing, is made up of a series of flat panels. The preferably wooden panels are rectangular and relatively thin, and can be stored and shipped flat and compactly. Slots in the two leg-member panels enable them to be interlocked to form a supporting base. Grooves in these two panels slidably receive four vertical brace panels, rigidifying and locking the base in the desired configuration. A top panel rests horizontally on the base, with grooves in the underside of the top panel receiving the top edges of the interlocked leg-member panels, increasing stability and locking the top panel in place.

I claim: 
     
       1. A series of panels for interconnection together to form a load supporting and elevating stand, comprising: a pair of similar leg-member panels, each being generally rectangular and having a slot extending inwardly from one edge perpendicularly to the edge, approximately half way into the panel, said slots being configured so as to permit the two leg-member panels to be interlocked together in an X-configuration;   each leg-member panel also including a pair of grooves in each of its two opposed faces, parallel to the slot and spaced outwardly therefrom;   four brace panels, each being generally rectangular and sized to fit closely between grooves of adjacent faces of the leg-member panels when they are interlocked together in the X-configuration; and   a top panel sized to lie on the top edges of the leg-member panels when they are interlocked together;   whereby load supporting and elevating stand may be quickly assembled together by interlocking the leg-member panels together to form an X-shaped base, then assembling the base panels into the base by sliding them into the grooves, adding strength and stability to the base, then assembling the top panel onto the top of the base to complete the stand.   
     
     
       2. A series of panels according to claim 1, wherein the brace panels are of lesser height than the leg-member panels, and wherein the top panel includes on its underside a pair of grooves in an X-configuration, positioned to receive the top edges of the interlocked leg-member panels, for stabilizing the assembly and locking the top panel in place. 
     
     
       3. A series of panels according to claim 1, wherein grooves in the leg-member panel faces comprise channels having generally rectangular cross section, the channels extending vertically, and wherein the side edges of the brace panels are anagled and generally parallel to the inner surfaces of the channels for engagement thereagainst. 
     
     
       4. A series of panels according to claim 3, wherein the slots in the leg-member panels are formed so as to fit the two leg-member panels together perpendicularly, and wherein the angled side edges of the brace panels are formed at 45°.